It’s been quite a while since my last review was published, but today I thought I would begin to catch up on the large queue of reviews that have been pending. Today’s review completes a series of Johnny Walker tastings which began in late 2020 (yeah, more than 16 months ago) which were side-swiped by the World-wide crisis relating to the virus. In fact it has been over a year since the last published review in the series, Johnnie Walker Aged 18 Years.
This is the review for Johnnie Walker Blue Label Scotch Whisky
It is interesting to note that Johnnie Walker does not make an age claim for the whisky although it is generally believed that the Blue Label represents an older overall blend than the Johnnie Walker 18 Year Old. Neither does Johnnie Walker give any indication as to which distilleries the whisky have contributed to the overall blend. It is hinted that the existing distilleries of Royal Lochnagar, Clynelish, Glenkinchie, Glenlossie and Cameronbridge all contribute to the character of Johnnie Walker Blue.
Here is a link to my full review with tasting notes and scores:
Review: Johnnie Walker Blue Label
Please enjoy my review, and you can look forward to more Rum and Whisky reviews in the coming weeks, perhaps more vodka and gin as well.
Chimo!
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Note: Here are links to the entire Johnny Walker review series:
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Johnnie Walker Red Label
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Johnnie Walker Double Black
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Johnnie Walker Green Label
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Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve
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Johnnie Walker Aged 18 Years
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In 2018, to celebrate the final season of the critically-acclaimed HBO series, Game of Thrones; Johnnie Walker began to introduce a series of Game of Thrones themed whiskies. Included in this series was a range of eight single malts whiskies each representing a different house faction from the television series. These 2018 releases been followed by more releases in 2019 including Johnnie Walker A Song of Fire and Johnny Walker A Song of Ice which were inspired by the two of the remaining powerful houses of Westeros, House Stark (A song of Ice) and House Targaryen (A Song of Fire).
The Black Label is a blended Scotch Whisky, which is composed of up to 40 malted and grain whiskies. The origins of the blend can be traced back to 1867, when Alexander Walker copyrighted and began to bottle Old Highland Whisky. In 1909 the name of the blend was changed to Johnnie Walker Black Label in reference to the color of the label which had become the generic means of identifying the blend amongst the Johnnie Walker customers.
The Centenary Blend (now replaced by the younger Gold Label Reserve) was reputed to contain 15 separate single malt whiskies each aged a minimum of 18 years. Of these single malts four in particular have been noted as being key to the distinctive taste of Johnnie Walker Gold: Talisker generates the general character of the blend; Clynish generates the brine and seaside ambiance; Royal Lochnagar imparts the luxurious palate; and Cardhu lingers in the throat and provides the finish. I have read some claims that grain whiskies are in the blend as well, but whether that is true I have no confirmation. Grain Whiskies if present would certainly add vibrancy and character to the overall blend as well.
The Rum Howler Blog 